I happen to prize my levels, and thus care for them as well as I reasonably can. After all, they are precision instruments; at least as far as I am concerned.
I’ve recently moved into a van from a p/u.
I’ve been looking at soft cases for quite sometime, but that would mean either laying them on the floor, or hanging them.
I’m considering building a slim box, either stepped or stopped to the corresponding length of the levels and attaching it up high out of the way. I have a 6′, 4′ and 2′ that I need to store and protect.
What are some of you doing?
By the way, do any of you have a line on Empire e70 levels? I have the 6 ‘er, and now want to replace my wooden 4′ and 2’ levels with the “Blue Ones”.
Not trying to get in a discussion about different levels.
Thanks,
Eric
Replies
Magnets,magnets on the levels. Thems rare earth mags are the bomb! Stickem to the roof. My newest level has em already drilled in.
Get thee a Jet rack for your step ladder too..American Van has em for 70 bills and you supply a hunk of unistrut..best Idea in a long time.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"Success is not spontaneous combustion, you have to set yourself on Fire"
Something to think about on the levels....
I've seen the ladder rack, perhaps you posted it here.
Tell me how many times you've banged your head Ichabod?
I'm loving the van, I can sort of stand (stoop) up. No more crawling on my knees in the back of the p/u. I can't see diminishing the clearance for my noggin though.
I have a nice 48" long x 18" or so high Husky folding aluminum bench that puts me where I need to be 90% of the time.[email protected]
Well,I don't often hit it, but yup..it can happen. I have it at an angle from center ( to not block the lights) towards the passenger seat ( so I can decapitate teh passenger with a slam stop). I made floor drawers to match the height of the alum drawers I got from Gunner...most stuff I can just reach in and grab.
Wall shelves on the driverside holds all tools in boxes, Jiggy saw, circsaw,hammerdrill,rotozip,laser,paslode gun..
Top shelf is levels and longer stuff, boxes of framing nails ( or little used fastners) and such..them drawers are the best tho', only 6" high, but hold ton of stuff.
But you and I have different needs/tools , nothing works for everyone.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"Success is not spontaneous combustion, you have to set yourself on Fire"
Metal strap and PVC pipe sized to fit the level as close as possible.
Screw the the pipe using the strap to the ceiling inside the van.
also good for brooms etc with long handles.
Edited 1/13/2008 6:37 pm ET by CAGIV
The pipe idea is up there on the list of maybes.
How to keep the levels fron sliding out the back when I "step on it"?[email protected]
How to keep the levels from sliding out the back when I "step on it"?
Put a clean out cap on the end.
I have my 6' 4' and 2' mounted to the side of my tool box. Cut ovals the size of the cutouts in the level and mount them to the side of a box(placed where the cutout are located on the level) then cut the same oval and off set a screw through that, screw that second oval over the top of the first and you have a way to hold the level in place when your not using it, cant fall off because the second oval will be turned down and with the offset screw the oval cant vibrate to a position that will allow the level to fall off.
Doug
I'm outta breath after reading that ;~)
Cool idea, now that you bring it up I remember seeing that someplace.[email protected]
A 2' and a 16'' lay on edge in the bin shelf.
2-4' hang upright from a utility hook (large) fastened to the edge of the Adrian cabinet. Bungy diag around the levels keep them steady. These are at the rear and those on the shelf can be accessed from that end also.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Cap the side towards the cab with a glue on cap, cap the back side with a screw on clean out cap.
I've also seen a guy put a small, maybe 1/4" bolt on with a wing-nut to keep it from sliding out.
other then that, keep your foot off the gas a little?
other then that, keep your foot off the gas a little?
Oh, I've got an egg under MY foot!
11.8 mpg. yikes!! 2003 e250, 4.6 V8. It's a friggin crime they can't do better than that.
I'll be looking at chips and shift kits soon I think.[email protected]
If you are a tailor yourself, or are close to a good tailor or seamstress, try taking some cuts from movers' pads and making scabbards for the levels, then finding a way to fix them to the ceiling of the van.
You know what I mean. Those padded blankets used for protecting furniture and appliances when stuff is packed into a moving van.
Each slim sheath should be long enough to capture all of the level save a couple inches, and the fit should be snug but not tight.
That's a unique idea Gene! Just sew it up the length at the height of the level, then again at the top extra couple of inches, add a couple of grommets and you can hang them horizontally from the roof!
Thinking outside the box.[email protected]
I attached some red oak material I had left over from a job running side to side of the bed cap about 2"-3" down from the top. The red oak strips were 3/4" thick and about 3" wide and I compound cut the ends to fit the top horizontal cap rails and used pocket holes to attach them.
This carries my levels, sheet rock T-square, clamp/guide, long clamps and a broom. The clamp/guide holds the levels to one side and the clamps are clamped on the other side.
Let's not confuse the issue with facts!
I have plywood panels lining the inside of the cargo area. My very ordinary levels just hang on hooks screwed into the plywood. It may not be the kindest way to treat a top-of-the-line level, but mine don't seem to have suffered at all from the jostling about.
Gun rack, back window of the pickup.
Greg